PCC meets PPC as Jo Cox and Mark Burns Williamson join supporters.

Lord Kinnock addressed 250 party members and supporters at the rally at the Aakash before hosting a fundraising auction.

Birstall-born actress and writer Tracy Brabin also spoke at the rally along with former MEP Glenys Kinnock and former Batley councillor Cath Speight.

During her own speech, Prospective parliamentary candidate for Batley and Spen Jo Cox paid tribute to MP Mike Wood and Batley west councillor Peter O’Neill, both of whom will retire at the coming elections.

Crime and policing was then top of the agenda in Heckmondwike on Saturday as West Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner Mark Burns Williamson visited the town to talk about local crime and policing issues. He also met officers from Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team for a briefing.

Jo Cox said: “Since 2010 the police have been hit by wave after wave of budget cuts and a real terms cut in officers on the beat in West Yorkshire

“In spite of this Batley and Spen continues to be very well served thanks to an excellent local policing team.”

Mr Burns-Williamson said: “We are working very hard to make sure we do everything possible to combat crime and ensure effective and responsive policing, in spite of the massive cuts from the Coalition government.

“It’s vital we listen to what local people are saying about crime and policing and with support from effective and hardworking political representatives, we can make sure we are all fully engaged with residents.